Dental Implants Vs. Dentures

Choosing between dentures and dental implants is challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of each. While dentures are commonly chosen because of their affordability, dental implants offer many unique benefits that make them worth the slightly increased cost for many people. Here are three reasons implants may be a better choice for replacing missing teeth than dentures.

Many people with missing teeth are unaware that tooth loss leads to bone loss in the jaw. The reason for this undesirable event can be traced to the tooth roots. In addition to keeping the teeth anchored to the jaw, tooth roots also stimulate the jaw consistently. This stimulation helps the jaw bone remain dense and strong. When a tooth is lost and stimulation desists, the bone begins to lose mass and degrade. Dental implant posts are placed directly in the jaw and take the place of tooth roots in stimulating bone growth to prevent degradation. Dentures cannot perform this same function since they sit on top of the gum tissue.

There is an almost endless potential for embarrassing moments when you’re wearing dentures. If the denture paste comes loose, it can lead to an unpleasant clicking noise or can cause the teeth to fall completely out of the mouth. Since implants are rooted to the jaw bone itself, there is no risk of them falling out during dinner.

Dental implants are designed to function like natural teeth, and they should be cared for like natural teeth. Fortunately, it’s easier to follow a normal oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing than it is to take care of dentures. To maintain dentures, you have to remove them each night (being careful not to drop them), brush them and soak them in a special solution.

Want to learn more about the differences between dental implants and dentures from an experienced general dentist? Call The Lakes Family Dental today to schedule your appointment with Drs. Jeffrey Alvarado and Gregorio Salinas.